(Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920)

Mathoni W. Pratt, living at Driggs, is the owner of three hundred and fifteen acres of valuable farm property in Teton county and to the supervision of his interests is giving his attention. He was born in Salt Lake City, July 6, 1856, and is a son of Parley P. and Mary (Wood) Pratt. The mother, who was born in Scotland, was reared in England. The father was a native of New York and crossed the plains with the Mormon pioneers of 1847. He established his home in Salt Lake City and was a representative of one of the most prominent and distinguished families of that stale. His brother, Orson Pratt, was the first Mormon to view the valley at Salt Lake. Parley P. Pratt became a farmer, but the greater part of his life was devoted to the work of the church. He built the road through Parley's canyon, which was named in his honor, extending that highway up to Parley's park, which comprised eight or ten thousand acres of land. This property he afterward sold for a yoke of oxen. He was a man of liberal education and of high purpose, devoting most of his life to the interests of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he was one of the first apostles. He had charge of European missions and in many ways he greatly furthered the interests of the cause. He composed some of the Mormon hymns and he was the originator of the Millennial Star, published in Liverpool. He filled a very important mission in Canada prior to that, and when not busy with his labors abroad for the church he made his home in Salt Lake City, where his last days were passed. He suffered martyrdom while returning from his last mission in the spring of 1857. In the meantime he had taken an important part in the organization of Utah territory and was sent out to explore the southern section of the state, traveling through the country to California.

Mathoni W. Pratt was reared in Salt Lake City and there pursued his education in the common schools. He started upon his business career as a clerk in a general merchandise store, in which he was employed for four years. He then became connected with the wholesale dry goods department of Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution, with which he was associated for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he became associated with the Young Brothers Company, dealers in musical instruments, and was thus engaged until 1889, when he came to the Teton valley, settling in what was then Bingham county, Idaho. A part of that county has now become Teton county. He filed on land a mile and a quarter from Driggs but did not prove up on the property. Instead he went to another section of the county and took up another homestead, nor did he prove up on that. However, he did secure title to a desert claim of six hundred and forty acres. He also engaged in general merchandising, conducting a store for some time. During the widespread financial panic of 1897 he had to leave Teton county and returned to Salt Lake City, where he again entered into active connection with Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution in the wholesale dry goods department, with which he was associated for six years. He next went to Portland, Oregon, where he continued for a year and a half and then returned once more to Salt Lake City, where he was engaged in various lines of business. In 1917 he again came to the Teton basin, where he had always retained farming interests. He came back to look after his landed possessions and he is now the owner of three hundred and fifteen acres of improved farm property, which he rents and which returns to him a good income.

On the 17th of November, 1880, Mr. Pratt was married to Miss Elizabeth Sheets and to them were born six children: Pearl, at home; Mathoni W., Jr., who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Idaho; Noel S., who is a well known attorney of Salt Lake City and is now teaching in the Latter-day Saints University; Harold S., who follows farming in Idaho; Florence, the wife of Clifford L. Evans, of Salt Lake City; and Orson S., also a resident of Salt Lake City. The wife and mother passed away in 1917. Mr. Pratt married Agnes Ure, by whom he has three children, namely: Melvin U., Mary U. and Claron U., all of whom are attending school.

Politically Mr. Pratt has always been a republican. His religious faith is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he is now a high priest. He has held numerous offices in the church and was the first bishop of the first ward organized in Teton county when the ward covered both the Teton and Jackson valleys. In 1875 and 1876 he filled a mission to Missouri and to Illinois. Like others of the name and his honored father, he has taken an active interest in furthering progress along many lines and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged.